Understanding immune responses in organ transplant patients
Official title: Project 1: Evolution and Durability of allo(auto)immune B cell responses in organ transplant recipients
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11075872 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how your body's B cells, which make antibodies, react to kidney transplants, especially when they accidentally attack the new organ, and it aims to find better ways to help your body accept the transplant and reduce complications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | April 16, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $434,362 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI181105-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075872 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have received a kidney transplant and may be experiencing or at risk for antibody-mediated rejection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone organ transplantation or those with other unrelated autoimmune conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how B cells, which produce antibodies, respond to organ transplants, particularly focusing on kidney transplants. It aims to understand the evolution and durability of these immune responses, especially when they mistakenly target the donor's proteins, leading to rejection of the transplant. By studying the mechanisms behind these responses, the research seeks to identify ways to improve transplant outcomes and manage complications related to antibody-mediated rejection. Patients may be monitored for their immune responses over time to gather valuable data.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing organ rejection in transplant patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that understanding B cell responses can lead to better management of transplant rejection, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lund, Frances E. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Lund, Frances E.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting early oral GVHD to improve mouth health after stem cell transplant
A study at UW–Madison will explore why some transplant patients develop painful oral GVHD and test ideas to prevent and lessen mouth-related problems.
-
Innate and Adaptive Immunoregulation in Liver Transplant Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
A liver transplant-focused project investigates how the body’s early and later immune responses affect transplant failure or success after reperfusion.
-
Exercise-based frailty program for people awaiting lung transplants
A tailored exercise and lifestyle program is being tested to reduce frailty and improve outcomes for people waiting for a lung transplant.
-
Diabetes and Donor Tissue in Corneal Transplants
This grant studies whether corneas from donors with diabetes affect the success of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and what factors predict better or worse outcomes.
-
Microbial clues to diagnose and predict infections in kidney transplant patients
A patient-focused project will look for microbial biomarkers in stool, blood, and urine to help doctors predict and diagnose infections in people who have had a kidney transplant.
-
Medicare Advantage and Transplant Access for Rural and Vulnerable Communities
Aimed at understanding how Medicare Advantage affects early steps to kidney transplant for adults in rural or socioeconomically challenged groups.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.